Tredegar Band put their disappointment of not being able represent Wales at the European Championships in Palanga this weekend by linking up with Little Britain comedian Matt Lucas to record a special version of his 'Thank You Baked Potato' song to help raise funds for the Feed NHS initiative.

The request came through composer Paul Saggers, who was a prize winner at the 2019 European Composer Competition in Montreux.

Stars

Paul, who is a musician with the Royal Marines, came up with the idea and got in touch with Tredegar, with the 2019 and 2020 Welsh Champion now adding their name to a star studded list of 'Baked Potato' stars such as Brian May, Curt Stigers, Rob Brydon, English National Opera and Bramwell Tovey and the BBC Concert Orchestra in joining Matt in his fun packed renditions.

The players were sent their parts by email, with Ben Stratford of Mango Design, who plays solo baritone, splicing them together before it was sent to Matt to record his bit in time with the band. The final version was premiered today (Sunday 3rd May) and has already gained a great response from many of his 1.1 million followers.

Paul told 4BR: "I decided that the piece would sound great with a brass band accompaniment, and there was no one better to do it than Tredegar. Matt was so impressed that it took off straight away."

Lovely

"How lovely it was to perform with Tredegar Band,"Matt tweeted, whilst MD Ian Porthouse told 4BR: "The band has gained a well earned reputation for doing something a little different, so when Paul approached us it was just up our street.

All that of course and the link Tredegar has with the founding of the NHS gave it extra resonance. It was great fun of course, but the message behind it all is more important than anything — and we are proud to do our bit to help."

Its the latest high profile link for the Welsh champion with an appearance in the award winning Sky One 'Brassic' series due to be aired starting on May 7th.

It was great fun of course, but the message behind it all is more important than anything — and we are proud to do our bit to helpIan Porthouse

Enjoy and donate

The FeedNHS initiative was set up by Matt Lucas alongside actors Damian Lewis and his wife Helen McCroy and has already raised over £1.2 million to help provide meals for NHS workers as they battle to help others against the Coronavirus.

To see the video go to: https://youtu.be/bGIE-myhj1k

To donate to the initiative go to: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/feednhs